Women’s pilot training scholarship launched

AN Oxford based pilot training company has launched a dedicated female pilot scholarship scheme.

The launch took place at its Airline Pilot Careers Day and so far it has received more than 100 applicants.

The initiative is operated in partnership with the British Women Pilots’ Association.

The scholarship scheme will enable one trainee female pilot to win £35,000 towards the price of a full-time EASA pilot training course.

The open day at Oxford Airport, Kidlington, gave would-be female pilots a chance to tour the facilities and talk to instructors and recent graduates.

Julie Westhorp, chairman of The British Women Pilots’ Association and former commercial airline pilot and current CAA flight examiner, said: “Nearly 50 years after the first woman took the controls as a commercial pilot and despite the industry’s clear demand, the percentage of female pilots globally is still surprisingly low, at just 3 per cent.

“We are proud to be partnering with Airways Aviation to help more women and girls see the world of possibility behind the cabin doors.”

Romy Hawatt, founder and shareholder of Airways Aviation, said: “Our global scholarship programme has been hugely successful so far, and we’ve already been able to support some amazing candidates to begin their pilot training.

“We are pleased to be launching this new scholarship programme and hope that it will help to encourage more talented women to consider a career in aviation.”

Applicants for the female scholarship will need to register their interest and complete a short online application form before November 24. Airways Aviation will then invite those candidates whose application meets the initial selection criteria to its Oxford headquarters to take the industry-standard COMPASS test.

Once the test results are analysed, the top-scoring candidates will be invited to continue the process, with a presentation and panel interview at Oxford as the final stage.

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